Overview

Information management (IM) is a critical component of any OCHA office. A clear and simple IM strategy can help the OCHA head of office (HoO) focus the efforts of their information management unit (IMU) in order to maximize the impacts of the unit’s work. If there is no clear IM strategy in place, information management officers are often pulled into endless ad-hoc tasks, unable to focus on the core products and process that have the greatest overall benefit to the OCHA office and the wider humanitarian community.

IM should not be seen only as the responsibility of the IMU but the responsibility of the entire OCHA office, this is often referred to as the Whole of Office approach to IM. The IMU is the leader of the process but contributions from all OCHA staff are critical to success. The IMU should not be seen as a separate, stand-alone entity but integrated into the core functions of the office. The IMU needs to work closely with all other sections and the sub-offices in the collection of data, analysis of the information and production and dissemination of key coordination products.